Page 158 - Bulletin 13 2009

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For the sincere artist it is almost impossible to create beautiful near-static forms as
was done in the past.
He now expresses the universe of stars and space, the world of the atom, the flight
of the jet, and this requires a new technique and new materials like electronics, steel,
plastic, concrete, glass, spray gun and welder’s torch for kinetic collages and assemblies.
Let us not forget the artist is also part of the changing world.

Argus, 4 July 1967

During the early 70s he formed a relationship with Elizabeth Crossley, a recent Michaelis

art graduate many years his junior. She lived and worked for a time at Schoonzicht, and

marriage seemed in prospect, but this did not happen and in 1974 she left for the UK to
pursue further studies. Between 1969 and 1977, apart from his job with Gossard and his

continuing artistic work, Eddie was art critic for the Cape Times and the Argus. This was a
great platform for espousing his strong views on art matters and he frequently clashed with

the traditionalists and art establishment. He seemed to thrive on being controversial and

was not averse to a punch up if need be. Throughout this period, dressed in outlandish
clothes and with his trademark red socks and bottle-green plus-fours, he presided over

legendary parties and gatherings at Schoonzicht where pretty young girls were never far
away.

Further exhibitions followed in 1972, 1973 and 1974 displaying nail work as well as

monotypes and mixed media. These continued to draw large audiences as he expanded his

repertoire and raised the quality of the work. He also travelled extensively in South Africa
and made two art-focused trips to Europe – in 1974 when he visited Holland, Germany,

France and Spain, and in 1978 when he spent nine months ‘wandering’ in Britain, Holland,
Belgium and Germany – often travelling by push-bike. One of his favourite places, also,

was St. Helena which he had first visited as a boy of six. He was well liked on the island –

they remember his red socks to this day – and he encouraged art among island children by
bringing an exhibition of their work back to Cape Town. All of these trips produced

numerous articles that were published in the local press.